ADDIS ABABA — The Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development for the Federal Government of Somalia, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, has presented the instrument of ratification for the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to the African Union, formally announcing Somalia’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and welfare .
The handover ceremony took place at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, with Moussa Mohamed Omar, Deputy Chief of Staff of the African Union Commission, presiding over the event. Professor Hajer Gueldich was also in attendance .
“The move underscores Somalia’s commitment to advancing child welfare, fulfilling its regional and international obligations, and strengthening national systems to safeguard the rights and well-being of every Somali child,” the minister said .
Parliamentary Approval and Legislative Progress
The ratification follows significant legislative progress within Somalia’s Federal Parliament. In May 2025, the Somali Federal Parliament conducted the first reading of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child alongside the International Judicial Cooperation Bill .
During that parliamentary session, chaired by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, Minister Al-Makhzoumi and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moallim briefed lawmakers on the core principles and implications of both legislative items, emphasizing the importance of aligning Somalia’s legal framework with international standards to enhance child protection .
National Child Protection Initiatives
The ratification builds on existing national efforts to strengthen child welfare systems. In November 2025, the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development introduced a National Child Helpline Centre to manage the toll-free emergency line 166, which officials describe as Africa’s busiest child-support hotline .
The center offers prompt and confidential support to children encountering abuse, neglect, or other threats, staffed by trained child-protection specialists. Speaking at the launch, Minister Al-Makhzoumi stressed maintaining the utmost professionalism and underscored the national duty to protect vulnerable children .
Decade of Commitment to Children’s Rights
In November 2025, Somalia marked the 10th anniversary of ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in a ceremony at Mogadishu’s National Theatre, bringing together government officials, diplomats, civil society leaders, and hundreds of children .
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre led the commemoration, reaffirming the government’s dedication to protecting children and ensuring they grow up in safe, nurturing environments. Ambassador Al-Makhzoumi stressed that the anniversary was not only about celebrating a signed document but about translating international commitments into tangible improvements in healthcare, education, and child protection .
International Recognition of Human Rights Progress
Somalia’s efforts to strengthen child welfare and human rights protections have drawn positive international attention. In December 2025, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre welcomed a senior delegation from the United Kingdom led by UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders .
During that meeting, Ambassador Sanders praised Somalia’s concrete advancements in human rights, especially the formation of the Independent National Human Rights Commission and the government’s commitment to child welfare. The Prime Minister, alongside Minister Al-Makhzoumi, awarded Ambassador Sanders a certificate honoring the UK’s ongoing support and collaboration in advancing human rights and bolstering Somalia’s institutions .
Regional and International Partnerships
The ratification of the African Charter represents a significant milestone in Somalia’s efforts to align its legal framework with continental standards on child protection. The charter, adopted by the Organization of African Unity in 1990, establishes comprehensive rights for children across the continent, including protection from abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices .
Minister Al-Makhzoumi has been actively engaged in advancing human rights on multiple fronts. In October 2025, she intensified diplomatic engagements in Geneva as Somalia sought to reclaim full national oversight of its human rights agenda, holding high-level bilateral meetings with ambassadors from friendly nations including Kuwait, Qatar, and Türkiye .
Commitment to Children’s Welfare
The handover ceremony at the African Union Headquarters demonstrates Somalia’s ongoing dedication to fulfilling its international and regional obligations, as well as enhancing national systems that safeguard and improve the rights and well-being of all children in the country .
The ratification is expected to strengthen Somalia’s legal framework for child protection, providing a foundation for improved enforcement of children’s rights and access to justice for vulnerable minors across the nation .
